'The Heat' returns to newsstands

Weekly newspaper The Heat, which was suspended momentarily by the Home Ministry in mid December last year, is now back in the newsstands.

The paper, published by the HCK Media-owned Satri Kiara Sdn Bhd was out in the market since Friday.

In a front page article, the newspaper admitted that while the suspension has derailed some of its plans, it gave assurances that the episode has not affected the paper’s journalist principles.

The paper promised to continue to “speak up against corruption, injustice and the forces that seek to divide our nation” and “to deliver compelling content that is relevant to urbanites and the emerging affluent.”

“We will continue to do that fairly and independently,” said the paper.

The Heat editor-in-chief David Lee said that the paper’s editorial direction remains the same and in his editor's note, he wrote:" to put this episode in its proper context: that a free press is an integral part of the democratic process. It should not be viewed as an enemy of the state..."

In the first edition after its month-long absence, the paper also featured a full-page ad by Nando's, complete with tongue-in-cheek copy related to the newspaper's suspension:

On Dec 16,The Heat was suspended by the Home Ministry on reasons that it allegedly violated its terms for its publication permit.

It was believed that the ministry had suspended the newsweekly’s publication following a report titled "All eyes on big-spending PM Najib" published in its Nov 23 to 29 issue.

Journalists and civil rights groups had formed a solidarity group called Gerakan Media Marah (Movemement of Angry Media) or Geramm, and had held several forums and protests.

The Heat is published by HCK Media Group which also behind business publication Focus Malaysia and the online portal theantdaily.com.

On Jan 27, The Heat announced that the suspension was lifted by the Ministry.